This coming February, South Africa will celebrate the most significant event on its wine calendar: commemorating the wine industry's birthday by celebrating the 364th South African grape wine harvest. The entire month will be dedicated to #HappyBirthdaySAWine.
Who is getting involved?
The business community, wine producers, social sippers, connoisseurs, restaurateurs, tourism organizations, collectors and retail outlets are invited to help promote South Africa's wine birthday.
How do I participate?
- Add Thursday 2 February 2023 to your events calendar and celebrate South Africa's lasting wine legacy throughout the month!
- Use the SA Wine Birthday Logo showing the Wine Glass With the SA Outline to promote the 364th birthday of South African wine's proud and legendary legacy.
- Collaborate with vineyards, wine brands and routes to promote SA wine's birthday.
- Invite your readers, fans, members and clients to share their favourite way to celebrate the birthday of South African wine.
- Plan your own #HappyBirthdaySAWine trips and tours to South African wine regions.
- Support winetasting events, winemaking demonstrations, educational workshops, special offers, and other activities in support of #HappyBirthdaySAWine
- On the evening of 2 February watch a virtual event celebration video on www.sawineharvest.co.za
- Share your own special celebratory events on social media - tag in @sawineharvest
- Use the main hashtag #HappyBirthdaySAWine – in conjunction with #ToUs #SAWineHarvest2023 #SAWineSince1659 #Discoverctwc
Why is the celebration of SA wine's birthday so important?
The wine sector annually contributes R55 billion to the GDP and employs more than 265 000 people. By celebrating the birthday of the wine industry wine sales and wine tourism will receive a further boost.
What is the history of the wine harvest commemorative event?
Since 2012, the Board of Groot Constantia initiated and instituted the Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, expressly to encourage and honour visionary leadership in the wine industry. This event has three aspects:
- The Blessing of the harvest
- The Commemoration of the first wine from Cape grapes made in 1659
- Honouring our wine industry leaders
Over the years, prolific individuals were honoured for their Visionary Leadership and contribution to the wine industry with the 1659 Visionary Leadership Award, such as Spatz Sperling, Dave Hughes, Jan Scannell, Norma Ratcliff, Beyers Truter and the Unsung Wine Workers – then and now – as well as Jan Boland Coetzee, Charles Back, Danie De Wet and, in 2022, Carmen Stevens.
In 2021, three additional categories were introduced. These are Growing Inclusivity, Wine Advancement, and Viticulture and Wine Creation. Michael Fridjhon, Ntsiki Biyela, Johan Reyneke, Denise Stubbs, Francois Viljoen and Christine Rudman were honoured within these categories.
Where do I find the link to promotional elements?
Free How-To-Guide: Promote SA Wine Birthday
The special marketing kit is free for use to promote your own offerings, events and activities to promote SA Wine's birthday.The links contains:- SA Wine Birthday Logo- Press Releases (English, Afrikaans, Xhosa)- Photos (lifestyle and vines)
Happy Birthday SA Wine campaign!